8/21/2024

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We are pleased to announce a new feature in PeopleSoft (myPugetSound) that enables the accurate reflection of your personal identity across our campus systems. This initiative is a joint effort led by the Data Governance Committee and supported by Technology Services and Human Resources.

Purpose and Importance

This new feature offers a completely optional opportunity for you to personalize your records with your pronouns, gender identity, and chosen name. This initiative is a significant step in our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all members of our community and directly supports our goals as outlined in the Diversity Strategic Plan.

How to Update Your Information
  • Updating Your Information : You can update your gender identity, chosen name, and pronouns at any time via the Self-Service feature in myPugetSound.
    • Faculty: Log in to myPugetSound.edu and click on myPS > HR Salary and Benefits (tile) > Chosen Name and Pronouns
    • Staff: Log in to myPugetSound.edu and click on myPS > HR Staff Resources > Chosen Name and Pronouns
  • Updates: Allow up to 24 hours for changes to be reflected across all systems. Your primary/legal name will remain unaffected by changes to your chosen name.
  • Opt-In Process: Participation is entirely optional. If you choose not to update this information, it will remain blank.
  • For More Information: visit our webpage.
Benefits

While use of this new feature is completely optional, we encourage all faculty and staff to consider updating their personal details. Doing so promotes inclusivity and respect by:

  • Normalizing the Practice and Reducing Assumptions: Having a practice of sharing pronouns normalizes respect for gender diversity in our community and avoids assumptions about others’ gender identities.
  • Supporting Accurate Communication: Making your pronouns and chosen name available helps avoid misgendering and promotes accurate communication across campus.
  • Supporting Institutional Equity: Aggregated data will help us assess how well we are meeting our goals related to inclusivity and equity in our programs and practices.
  • Affirming Identities: Accurate reflection of identities across various campus systems affirms that each person’s identity is valued, respected, and valid.
How This Information Will Be Used
  • Internal Use: Pronouns and chosen name will be maintained in PeopleSoft and displayed in data sources that are drawn from PeopleSoft. For faculty and staff, this will include the Faculty and Staff Directory, Canvas, and Maxient.
  • Data Reporting: Aggregated gender identity data will enable evaluation of the effectiveness of our inclusivity and equity initiatives, including benefits programs and hiring practices.
  • Confidentiality: While your chosen name and pronouns will be visible in campus systems, gender identity details will only be accessible by a small number of authorized personnel, such as certain staff in Human Resources and Institutional Research, whose responsibilities require access to sensitive employee data for reporting purposes. These individuals are trained to adhere to strict confidentiality standards.
Definitions
  • Primary Name: The name used for official government documents, sometimes referred to as “legal name.” Your Primary Name cannot be changed via self-service and is visible across campus systems. To update your Primary Name, please contact Human Resources.
  • Chosen Name: An optional alternative to your Primary Name. Your Chosen Name can be added and changed via self-service (see instructions above) and is visible in all campus systems, with limited exceptions. Some functions related to payroll and benefits require exclusive use of your Primary Name, so you will continue to see this name reflected in systems or documents used for those purposes, even if a Chosen Name is added to your profile. For more information about Primary or Chosen Name visibility, please contact Human Resources.
  • Gender Identity: A personal understanding of one's own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth. Your Gender Identity can be added and changed via self-service and is strictly only visible by select personnel for authorized purposes.
  • Pronouns: This is how we refer to each other in the third person and may serve as a reflection of gender identity and expression. Pronouns can be added and changed via self-service and are visible in all campus systems.

For any questions or assistance, please contact the Human Resources office at hr@pugetsound.edu or x3369.

Thank you for your attention and support in helping us build a more inclusive and respectful community.
 

Data Governance Subcommittee
Gareth Barkin (Chair), Academic Deans’ Office
Jake Harrison, Institutional Research
Jenna McMichael, Academic Deans’ Office
Rianna Miramontez, Institutional Research
Carol Odland, Technology Services
Michael Pastore, Office of the Registrar
Erin Ruff, Human Resources
Elizabeth Wormsbecker, Career and Employment Services

Project Support
Sajin Alcid, Annual Giving
Miriam Chitga, Institutional Equity & Diversity
Jennifer Utrata, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Dave Wright, University Chaplain